Pivot mounted apparatus for handling coils of strip material



PIVOT MOUNTED APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COIL-S OF STRIP MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THOMAS PHILIP CAI NE Byykwhg ATTORNEY T. P. CAINE Nov. 3, 1959 PIVOT MOUNTED APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COILS OF STRIP MATERIAL Filed NOV. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR THOMAS PHILIP CAvlNE BY M ATTORNEY T. P. CAINE Nov. 3, 1959 PIVOT MOUNTED APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COILS OF STRIP MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR THOMAS PHILIP CAINE ATTORNEY T. P. CAINE Nov. 3, 1959 PIVOT MOUNTED APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COILS OF STRIP MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17, 1954' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR THOMAS PHILIP CAINE ATTO NEY United State v P te t PIVOT MOUNTED APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COILS OF STRIP MATERIAL Thomas P. Caine, Steuhenville, Ohio, assignor to National Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1954, Serial No. 469,412 18 Claims. (Cl. 242-79 Thisinvention relates to apparatus for handling coils of strip material, such as metal strip material, and more particularly to apparatus for coiling strip material coming from a processing, forming or shaping line and to apparatus for uncoiling strip material to be fed to a line.

Prior coiler apparatus for strip material comprise a supporting structure carrying a rotatable mandrel upon which the strip material is adapted to be wound in the form of a coil. .The mandrel is generally horizontally disposed and extends outwardly beyond one end of the supporting structure in lateral alignment with the strip material coming from the line, and the supporting structure is rigidly anchored on a concrete foundation providing a Well located below the outwardly extending mandrel. For the purpose of removing a coil of strip material from the mandrel, an elevator mechanism is located in the well below the mandrel. The elevator mechanism is provided with a vertically movable platform including a coil receiving cradle formed in its upper surface. Before the coiling operation is begun the elevator mechanism is moved away from the mandrel to provide space for coiling the strip material on the mandrel. When a sufiicient length of strip material is wound on the mandrel to form a coil of desired size or weight thestrip material is sheared and the free end of the coiled strip material is made fast to the coil by the use. of metal straps or any other suitable fastening means. 1 With the elevator mechanism in position below the coil of strip material, the elevator platform is then raised to move the coil receiving cradle into contact with the lower portion of the coil. The coil may then be stripped from the mandrel by first contracting the mandrel and then by either extracting the mandrel from the coil or by pushing the coil from the mandrel. After the stripping operation the elevator mechanism supports the coil and the coil maybemoved from the elevator mechanism by an overhead crane or other suitable equipment. In apparatus in which the stripping operation is accomplished by pushing the coil from the mandrel, the elevator mechanism is mounted for movement away from the mandrel.

In actual practice it has been difficult to operate the "ice the elevator platform into proper relationship with the lower side of the coil without the occurence of undesirable forces being applied to the coil and transmitted to the mandrel and to the coiler, mechanism and its supports. This is so since the operator has no way of determining when. the elevator platform contacts the coil' are of great mass, and the platform of the elevator mechanism and its associated supporting and actuated partsare necessarily constructed of heavy members. Also, generally hydraulic cylinders are provided for movingthe elevator platform, and even if the supply of hydraulic pressure fed to the cylinders could be terminated at the time of initial contact between the elevator platform and the'coil, it would not be possible to prevent further upward movement of the elevator platform in view of the momentum of the heavy members. It has been found in actual operations that continual bumping of the coil by the elevator mechanism eventually rips the coiler mechanism from its foundation.

The foregoing problem is also present in apparatus for uncoiling strip material. Uncoiler apparatus include a mandrel usually of the expan'sible type and an elevator mechanism movably mounted beneath the mandrel for delivering a coil of strip material for positioning on the mandrel. After the coil of strip material is placed over the mandrel, the mandrel is expanded and then it is the usual practice to cause .the elevator mechanism to move upwardly and bump the coil to'determine if the mandrel. is expanded and if it firmly supports the coil. Repeated bumping of the coil in this manner places undesirable strain on elements of the uncoiler apparatus and upon its foundation mounting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanismv for handling coils of strip material which overcomes the disadvantages outlined above.

Another object is to provide a mechanism for handling c oils of strip material, such as strip metal material, designed to absorb forces applied'to the mandrel of the mechanism attendant the removal of a coil of strip mateelevator mechanism and move its platform into the proper relationship with the coil of strip material without applying undesirable and harmful forcesonto the coiler mechanism; It is diflicult for the operatorof the elevator mechanism to observe the relationship between the coil receiving cradle of the elevator platform and thelower side of the coil to be removed. Thisis so due tothe necessary location of the elevator mechanismbelowthe mandrel and since, for the purposes of 'safety and engineering requirements, in the usual installation, the coiler mechanism is mounted in a well provided in the foundation floor with the lower periphery of the mandrel and hence the lower portion of the coil lying below the floor level. As a result of this arrangement, even in the case of a careful operator, it is difiicult, ifjnot impossible, to operate'the elevator mechanism and move mandrel upon which the strip material is adapted to be wound in the form of a coil or upon which a coil of strip material is supported for unwinding, and'a coil supporting elevator positioned below the mandrel for supporting the coil upon removing the coil from the mandrel or upon placing the coil on the mandrel, designed and ,constructed in such a manner as to absorb forces applied to the mechanism upon the elevator. being moved into contact with the coil. 7 I V i A still further object of the present invention is to provide a strip material coiler mechanism including a novel arrangement for controlling the elevator to prevent application of excessive forces on the coiler mechanism upon the elevator being moved into contact with a coil supported on the mandrel.

7 Other objects and features of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description considered in connection with the. accompanying drawings which disclose one'embodiment of the inven tion. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for the latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coiler mechanism and associated coil handling elevator mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the coiler and elevator mechanisms shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional illustration taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of a novel control circuit provided by the present invention, and

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the coiler and elevator mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating a phase of operation of the present invention.

The present invention provides a novel mechanism for handling coils of strip material, including strip metal material, which may be in the form of a coiler mechanism for receiving strip material from a line and for winding the strip material into a coil, or in the form of an uncoiler mechanism for supporting a coil of strip to be unwound; in both forms the mechanism is adapted to cooperate with a coil carrying elevator provided for supporting the coil of strip material when it is removed from or placed on the mandrel of the apparatus. The mechanism includes a supporting structure rotatably carrying the mandrel which extends outwardly from one end of the supporting structure and projects over the elevator mechanism when the latter mechanism is in position to support a coil of strip material carried by the mandrel. The supporting structure normally rests on a foundation or base, and its other end is pivotally connected to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. With this arrangement, when an upward force is applied to the mandrel supported coil upon the elevator mechanism being moved upwardly, the supporting structure rotates upwardly about its pivoted end and thus prevents damage to the mechanism, its mounting means as well as to other elements thereof. The present invention also provides restraining means, located at the mandrel end of the supporting structure, but which may also be provided at its pivoted end, and attached to the supporting structure and to the base. The restraining means functions to prevent movement of the supporting structure relative to the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel while allowing relative upward and downward movement therebetween upon swinging of the supporting structure about its pivoted end, and maintains the mechanism in proper alignment with the strip material leaving or entering the apparatus irrespective of lateral forces applied to the mechanism. The present invention also provides an automatic arrangement particularly useful in connection with coiler mechanisms for controlling the elevator and terminating its upward movement responsively to slight upward pivotal movement of the supporting structure.

Although the present invention is described below in the enviroment of a mechanism for coiling strip material, it is to be expressly understood that the features of the invention have application to'mechanisms for unwinding coils of strip material. 7

With reference more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a coiler mechanism 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is disclosed therein in operative relationship with a coil carrying elevator mechanism 11. As shown, the coiler mechanism comprises a substantially rectangular supporting structure 12 including an undercarriage 13 and a top carriage 14 slidably mounted on the undercarriage. The top carriage 14 includes a horizontally disposed deck member 15 supported by means of spaced longitudinal members 16 and transverse members 17; the members 16 and 17 may take the form of vertical plates welded together and to the underside of the deck member to form a rigid structure. A mandrel shaft 18 is rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the deck member 15 by means of spaced bearings 19 and 20 secured to the deck member. The mandrel shaft 18 is positioned longitudinally of the deck member and at its front end supports a mandrel 21 which projects outwardly beyond one end of the supporting structure 12. The mandrel is preferably of the contractable and expansible type to aid in the removal of a coil of strip material that has been formed thereon; however, as the mandrel does not constitute a part of the present invention, details of its construction as wellas apparatus for effecting its contraction and expansion are not shown. An electric motor 22 of the variable speed type is supported on the deck member and provided for rotatably driving the mandrel shaft; The driving connection between the motor 22 and the mandrel shaft 18 includes a gear reducing train enclosed incasing 23 having an input connected to the motor through a coupling 24 and an output connected to the mandrel shaft through a coupling 25. A braking mechanism 26 is associated with the mandrel shaft between the front bearing 24) and the mandrel 12. in accordance with conventional practice.

The deck member 15 also supports a mechanism for stripping or removing a coil of strip material from the mandrel. This mechanism includes a stripping plate 27 normally located inward of the supported end of the mandrel and adapted to move outwardly toward the unsupported end in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The stripping plate is positioned centrally of the mandrel and an opening, not shown, is provided therein through which the mandrel extends. The stripping plate is supportably secured to one end of a pair of elongated members 28 and 29 positioned on opposite sides of the mandrel shaft and mounted on the deck member 15 for longitudinal movement relative to the mandrel. For this purpose a pair of upstanding journal members 30 and 31 are secured to the deck member and are each provided with a suitable opening for receiving a respective elongated member and for mounting the elongated members in parallel relation for sliding morement relative to the mandrel shaft parallel to its longitudinal axis. The elongated members extend rearwardly of the mandrel beyond the journal members and are operatively connected to actuating members, not shown, of a pair of power cylinders 32 and 33, which may be of the double-acting type energized by a source of fluid under pressure, not shown. In order to synchronize the power cylinders, the elongated members 28 and 29 are provided with a rack 34 and 35, respectively, extending throughout the length of the stripping stroke, and a transverse shaft 36 is rotatably supported in bearings 37 and 38 and provided at each of its ends with a wheel, not shown, for engagement with the racks 34 and 35. With this arrangement, upon energization of the power cylinders, the elongated members are unitarily moved to the right, as viewed in the drawings, moving the stripping plate 27 longitudinally of the mandrel in a direction from its supported end toward its unsupported end, to thus force a coil of strip material from the mandrel. By employing power cylinders of the double-acting type the stripping plate may be positively returned to its normal position.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the undercarriage 13 of the supporting structure 12 includes a pair of longitudinally extending U-shaped channel members 40 and 41 connected by a plurality of transverse members 42. The undercarriage 13 is supported on a horizontal base 43 formed by a concrete foundation 44; the horizontal base is located below the floor level 45 and comprises the bottom of a well 46. Each longitudinal U-shaped channel member includes a vertically disposed web portion 47 and horizontally disposed flange portions 48 and 49 respectively extending from the upper and lower edges of the vertical web portion inwardly of the undercarriage. The longitudinal members may comprise single-piece channel members, or may be formed by welding flat plates to provide an integral structure, or in any other suitable manner. The transverse member 42 located at the left-hand end of the undercarriage, as viewed in Fig. 1, may comprise a pair of plate members 50 and 51 rigidly joined at their ends, such as by welding, to the inner face of the horizontal flange members 48 and 49, while the transverse member 42 at the other end of the undercarriage may comprise plate meme bers 52 and 53 joined in coplanar relationship with the horizontal flanges of the longitudinal members. The latter construction is shown more clearly in Fig. 4 in which the plate members 52 and 53 are joined to the longitudinal edges of the horizontal flanges 48 and 49, respectively, and a vertical plate 54 is provided between the horizontal flanges inthe region of the joint to increase the-strength of the structure.

The top carriage 14 is slidably mounted on the undercarriage13 for relative longitudinal movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel 21 to maintain lateral alignment between the mandrel and the strip material coming from the line feeding the coiler mechanism. For this purpose a longitudinal way 60 is provided between the top carriage 14 and the undercarriage 13 at each end'of the supporting structure and at both of its sides. Construction of the longitudinal ways 60 is seen more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. As shown, each of the ways includes a bearing plate 61 secured to the upper side of the longitudinal members of the undercarriage, a cooperating bearing plate 62 carried by the underside of the top carriage and a retaining member 63 secured to the undercarriage. The bearing plates of the longitudinal ways on one side of the supporting structure may comprise flat horizontally disposed surfaces, while the bearing plates of the longitudinal ways on the other side of the supporting structure may be provided with inclined surfaces 64. If desired, anti-friction bearing means may be utilized between the bearing plates. A power cylinder 65 is provided for moving the top carriage relative to the undercarriage. The power cylinder .is supported between spaced standards 66 and 67 secured to the transverse member 42 located at the lefthand end of the undercarriage, and includes an actuating rod 68 connected to a bracket 69 rigidly secured to the top carriage. The power cylinder may be of the doubleacting type operable to positively move the top carriage in both directions longitudinally of the undercarriage.

As mentioned above, the coiler mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention is adapted for use in connection with an'elevator mechanism 11 provided to receive a coil of strip material upon its removal from the mandrel. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the elevator-mechanism includes a body member 70 supporting a vertically movable platform 71 provided with a coil receiving cradle 72. A plurality of vertically disposed guide mem bers 73 are attached to the movable platform 71 and are slidably mounted in suitable openings in the body member to limit movement of the platform in a vertical plane. A power cylinder 74, which may be of the double-acting fluid pressure actuated type, is carried by the body member and includes an actuating member 75 connected to the platform for supporting the platform and effecting its upward and downward movement. The elevator mechanism is mounted in a 'well 76 below the mandrel for movement axially of the be provided with circumferential grooves 80 to cooperate with an upstanding flange 81 of the respective rail 78, while the other pair of wheels and their respective rail may include flat cooperating surfaces. A power cylinder 82 of the double-acting fluid actuated type is rigidly supported with respect to the body member 70 and is provided with an actuating rod 83 connected to the body member for effecting movement of the elevator mechanism along the rails 78.

With this arrangement, after a coil 84 of strip material has been wound on the mandrel 21 and it is desired to remove the coil from the mandrel, the power cylinder 82 is energized with fluid under pressure to move its actuating rod 83 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and position the elevator mechanism directly beneath the coil supported on the mandrel. The elevator power cylinder 74 is then energized to move the platform 71 upwardly and bring the coil receiving cradle 72 into contact with the lower portion of the coil. The stripping power cylinders 32 may then be operated to move the stripping plate 27longitudinally of the mandrel in a direction toward its unsupported end to force the coil 84 from the mandrel. A downwardly depending bracket'85, which may be of angular cross section, is secured to the stripping plate 27 for movement therewith. The bracket 85 is adapted to contact an abutment 86 extending upwardly from the elevator body member 70 so that the elevator mechanism and the coil of strip material move together outwardly from the mandrel. When the coil 84 has been stripped from the mandrel, the power cylinder 82 may be energized to move the elevator mechanism and the coil in a direction away from the unsupported end of the mandrel so that the coil can be easily removed from the elevator apparatus by means of an overhead crane or any other suitable device.

As shown clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the lower portion of the coil 84 when supported on' the mandrel 21 is positioned in the well 76 below the level of the floor 46, and the elevator mechanism 11 is located in the well below the lower portion of the coil. For this reason it is not possible for the operator of the elevator mechanism to observe the relative relationship of the coil receiving cradle 72 and the lower portion of the coil 84, and he has no way of knowing when the cradle 72 is moved upwardly a sufficient distance to establish proper relationship with the coil.

As discussed above, this is the primary'reason, even in the case of a careful operator, why undesirable forces are applied onto the coiler mechanism by the elevator mechanism during coil removal operations.

As mentioned above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel coiler mechanism, of the type adapted for operation with a coil-carrying elevator mechanism, designed in such a manner as to absorb or compensate for undesirable forces applied to the coiler mechanism upon movement of the elevator mechanism into contact with a coil of strip material carried by the'mandrel and thus prevent application of undesirable forces onto the coiler mechanism and to its supportingmeans. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the foregoing object is accomplished by providing an arrangement for pivotally mounting the supporting structure 12 of the coiler mechanism on the horizontal base 43 for upward swinging movement about an-axis displaced'from the mandrel and substantially perpendicular to .its longitudinal axis in the event'undesirable forces are applied to the mandrel by the elevator platform. The arrangement includes an axle 100 positioned transversely of the supporting structure which may be located adjacent the end of the undercarriage 13 opposite the mandrel and extending outwardly beyond the longitudinal U-shaped channel members 40 and 41 for support on the horizontal base 43. The undercarriage is pivotally mounted on the axle 100 by means of bearing members 101 and 102 respectively secured to the longitudinal U-shaped members 40 and 41. The bearing members 101 and 102 may comprise blocks of suitable material of sufiicient width to adequately support the coiler mechanism formed to fit within the longitudinal U-shaped channel members to which they may be secured by any suitable means such as by welds or bolts. The ends of the axle 100 extending outwardly beyond the longitudinal U-shaped channel members are supported by standards 103 and 104 provided with an opening 105 and 106, respectively, for receiving the axle, and a mounting base 107 and 108, respectively, adapted to rest upon'the'horizontal base 43 to which they are rigidly secured by bolt members 109 embedded in the concrete foundation 44. The height of the standards 103 and 104 between the lower edge of the openings 105 and 106 and the horizontal base 43 is such as to space the lower horizontal flanges 49 of the longitudinal U-shaped channel members a sufiicient distance from the horizontal base 43 to allow pivotal movement of the undercarriage about the axle 100. In the arrangement shown, the standards 103 and 104 non-rotatably support the axle 100 and the undercarriage is rotatably supported on the axle. However, it is to be expressly understood that the axle may be non-rotatably mounted on the undercarriage and rotatably supported by the standards or the axle may be rotatably mounted with respect to the undercarriage and the standards with means provided for maintaining its lateral relationship. The feature of providing a continuous axle 100 extending transversely of the undercarriage between the stand ards 103 and 104 provides a pivotal construction capable of carrying the heavy loads involved and withstanding the lateral forces present during the winding operation. While this construction constitutes the preferred form it is to be expressly understood that other arrangements may be employed when practicing the invention. For example, a pair of axles may be provided, one at each side of the undercarriage, and each supported by a pair of spaced standards located on opposite sides of the loneltudinal U-shaped channel members.

The manner in which the other end of the undercarriage is supported on the horizontal base 43 is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing.- This figure illustrates the construction at one side only of the undercarriage, and it is to be expressly understood that a similar arrangement is provided in connection with both of the longitudinal U-shaped channel members. As shown, a base plate 115 rests on the horizontal base 43 and is anchored thereto by means of bolts 116. The base plate 115 extends inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the mandrel shaft and terminates at a point beyond the free edge of the lower horizontal flange 49 of the longitudinal U-shaped channel member. A horizontally disposed bearing plate 117 rests on the upper surface of the base plate in the region of the horizontal flange 49, and a cooperating horizontally disposed bearing plate 118 is carried on the underside of the horizontal flange 49 in overlying relation with hearing plate 117 when the supporting structure is in its normal position as shown in Fig. 4. The bearing plates 117 and 118 are made of hard metal and are provided with substantially smooth contacting surfaces to provide a stable support for the coiler mechanism at its mandrel end.

During the process of winding strip material on the mandrel in the form of a coil, especially in the case of strip metal material, the strip material must be maintained under substantial tension in order to form a tightly wound coil. The tension on the strip material exerts a force on the coiler mechanism tending to move the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism in a direction toward the strip material feeding the mandrel. Conventional coiler mechanisms are anchored at both ends by mounting bolts embedded in the foundation which provide suflicient support to carry the lateral forces resulting from the strip tension. When practicing the present invention the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism is maintained in the horizontal winding position due to the mass of the coiler mechanism itself. The present invention therefore provides an arrangement for restraining relative movement between the coiler mechanism and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, while allowing upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism about the axle 100. This arrangement includes lateral movement restraining devices 120 andv 121 positioned on opposite sides of the undercarriage 13 at the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism. Also, lateral movement restraining devices 122 and 123 may be provided on opposite sides of the undercarriage 13 adjacent the axle 100, the latter lateral movement restraining devices also functioning as means for maintaining alignment of the pivot structure.

Construction of the lateral movement restraining device 120 is shown in detail in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The lateral movement restraining device 121 is of similar construction-out mounted in reversed relation on the other side of the undercarriage 13 and a detailed description of the device 120 is sufiicient for a full understanding of the invention. The base plate 115 is provided with an upwardly extending vertically disposed flange member 125 disposed outside of the vertical web member 47 of the longitudinal U-shaped channel member 40 in spaced substantially parallel relation therewith. The base plate 115 and the flange member 125 may comprise an integral structure formed by casting and provided with spaced reinforcing flanges 126 extending throughout the height of the vertical flange 125 in substantially perpendicular relation therewith and joined to a portion of the base plate 115 extending outwardly beyond the vertical flange 125. The inside surface of the vertical flange 125 is provided with a recess 127 receiving a rectangular backing plate 128 and a vertically disposed rectangular bearing plate 129. A vertically disposed rectangularbearing plate is secured to the outside surface of the vertical web member 47 in a position opposite the vertically disposed bearing plate 129 for sliding contact therewith. Bolts 131 are threadably mounted in the vertical'flange 125 for acting upon the backing plate 128 to adjust the pressure be tween the contacting surfaces of the vertically disposed bearing plates 129 and 130. The bolts 131 are provided with lock nuts 132. The vertical flanges 125 and their supporting structure are designed to carry severe lateral loads and function to prevent movement of the coiler mechanism laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel shaft during the winding operation. Also, the restraining devices 120 and 121 being positioned on oppo site sides of the undercarriage, prevent lateral movement between the undercarriage and the base and provide a stable support for the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism.

The cooperating bearing plates 129 and 130 of the lateral movement restraining devices 120 and 121 are vertically disposed in parallel relation and are provided with relatively smooth contacting surfaces. This arrangement allows for substantially free upward movement of the bearing plates 130 relative to the bearing plates 129 upon upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism about the axle 100 even when the contacting surfaces of the bearing plates are maintained under pressure contact by adjustment of the bolts 131. Also, the bearing plates possess a substantial vertical dimension as compared to the maximum upward movement of the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism experienced during normal coil removing performances to provide adequate lateral support during all phases of operation.

Construction of the lateral movement restraining devices 122 and 123 located adjacent the axle end of the undercarriage 13 is shown in detail in Fig. of the drawings. While the latter figure only discloses details of the construction of the device 122, it is suflicient for illustrating the construction of both of the devices 122 and 123, as the latter devices are similar although oppositely positioned with respect to the undercarriage. As shown, the base 107 rigidly supports an upwardly extending vertically disposed flange member 135 spaced from and in substantially parallel relation with the outside surface of the web member 47 of the adjacent longitudinal U-shaped channel member. The vertical flange is provided with reinforcing rib means 136 on its outside surface and a recess 137 on its inside surface adjacent the web member 47. The recess 137 receives a backing plate 138 and a vertically disposed bearing plate 139, and lock nut type adjusting screws 140 are provided for establishing the lateral position of the bearing plate 139. A verti'cally. disposed bearing plate 142 is secured on the outside surface of the vertical web member 47 opposite the vertically disposed bearing plate 139 with the adjacent surfaces of the bearing plates being in pressure contact and adapted for relative sliding movement upon upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism about the axle 100. As mentioned above, the lateral movement restraining devices 122 and 123 also function as means for maintaining alignment of the supporting structure in a manner similar to the operation of the restraining devices 120 and 121 described above.

In operation of a coiler mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention disclosed and described above, when a coil of strip material has been wound on the mandrel 21, such as the coil 84, and it is desired to remove the coil from the mandrel, the elevator mechanism is moved to a position beneath the coil as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the power cylinder 74 is energized to move the platform 71 upwardly to bring the cradle 72 into contact with the lower portion of the coil 84. Should the elevator platform 71 move upwardly beyond the required position into contact with the coil 84, the entire coiler mechanism will rotate upwardly about the axle 100 as a pivot axis absorbing the upward thrust on the coil and preventing application of undesirable stresses on the coiler mechanism and its supporting structure. This action is illustrated in an exaggerated manner in Fig. 7 of the drawings. In this figure, the elevator platform 71 is shown raised to a position above the maximum height required forproperly receiving the coil 84 during a normal coil removing operation. As a result of the movement of the elevator platform to this excessive height, the coil 84 is forced upwardly causing the entire coiler mechanism to pivot upwardly about the axle 100. Inasmuch as the coiler mechanism is designed for such pivotal movement, repeated upward thrusts onto the coil will not result in damage to the coiler mechanism or its mounting structure as in the case of conventional coiler mechanisms where in actual installation repeated upward forces applied to the coil to be removed eventually pull the coiler mechanism from its foundation. During actual operations when the elevator platform is raised to an excessive height the coiler mechanism is not pivoted upwardly to the degree shown in Fig. 7 and the pivotal action may only continue for a short period of time. This is. so since it is primarily the inertia of the massive elevator platformwvhich causes the pivotal movement and, the forces involved are quickly dissipated during the pivoting operation. Upon upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism the bearing plates 130 and 142 carried by the undercarriage move relative to their respective stationary bearing plates throughout a short distance as compared to the vertical dimension of the bearing plates to maintain lateral alignment of the coiler mechanism during pivoting operations.

During winding operations the coiler mechanism occupies a position shown in Fig. 3'ofthe drawings in which its end removed from the mandrel is supported by the axle 100 and in which its end adjacent the mandrel rests on the horizontal bearing plates 117 and 118. The lateral movement restraining devices 120, 121, 122 and 123 are adjusted to prevent lateral movement between the coiler mechanism at both of its ends and the horizontal base and function to prevent lateral movement of the coiler mechanism in a direction toward the line feeding the strip material due to the tension of the strip material required for coil winding.

, As mentioned above it is also contemplated by the present invention to provide an arrangement for automatically controlling the elevator mechanism to prevent excessive upward movement of the coil receiving cradle. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6 this means includes a microswitch 150 rigidly mounted on the supporting structure adjacent the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism. The microswitch includes an actuating member 151, and the microswitch is mounted to position the actuating member in contact with a relatively stationary member and move the microswitch to open position when the coiler mechanism is in its normal position as shown in Fig, 2 of the drawings. In particular, the microswitch 150 may be rigidly attached to the outer edge of the bearing plate 61 secured to the upper horizontal flange of one of the longitudinal U-shaped channel members. In this position the microswitch 150 is located above the vertical flange 125 of the lateral movement restraining device 120 with its actuating member 151 in contact with the upper edge .of the vertical flange. The micro-v switch .150 is connected in a circuit including a battery 152 and an energizing coil 153 of a relay 154. The relay 154 includes a switching member 155 which is adapted to move to a closed position upon energization of the coil 153 to bridge contacts 156 and 157 and complete a circuit between a source of current 158 and an elevator control device 159. The elevator control device 159 may comprise an electro-mechanical arrangement for terminating the supply of fluid under pressure to the power cylinder 75, andin a more elaborate arrangement may com prise a system for automatically supplying fluid under tained in its open position, when the coiler mechanism is in its normal position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, due to the switch actuating member 151 contacting the upper end of the vertical flange 125. Upon a slight upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism, the switch 150 moves upwardly relative to the vertical flange allowing. the actuating member 151 to move downwardly relative to the switch and move the switch to closed position. This action energizes the relay 154 and closes the circuit between the elevator control device 159 and the source of current 158. The elevator control device then functions to terminate upward movement of the elevator and/ or to correctly position the elevator with respect to the coil of strip material. The switch 159 may be adjusted to move to closed position upon slight upward movement relative to the vertical flange 25, and since the switch 150 is located adjacent the mandrel end of the coiler mechanism, the switch will move to closed position upon slight upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism. 1 I I .When the principles of the present invention are employed in amechanism for unwinding a coil of strip ma terial, a coil of strip material tobe unwound is placed on the elevator platform 72 and the platform is moved to the proper elevation so that the mandrel may enter the opening in the coil upon movement of the elevator mechanism 11 toward the supporting structure to a position directly beneath the mandrel as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the coil is properly positioned on the mandrel, the mandrel is expanded to tightly engage the portion of the coil forming its opening and positively support the coil. Thereafter the elevator platform may be caused tomove downwardly and then upwardly to bump the coil a number of times to determine if the mandrel is fully expanded and if the coil is firmly supported thereon. Upward thrusts upon the mandrel due to such bumping is not transmitted to the mounting structure of the apparatus, but is dissipated by means of the pivotal support which allows the mechanism to swing upwardly about the axle 100.

There is thus provided by the present invention a novel mechanism for handling coils of strip material of the type designed for operation with a coil carrying elevator, constructed in such a manner as to absorb or otherwise dissipate undesirable forces applied to the mechanism upon the elevator being moved upwardly into contact with the coil of strip material. In a coiler mechanism including the arrangement provided by the present invention careful operation of the elevator is not required, inasmuch as upward forces applied to the coiler mechanism are absorbed in pivotally moving the coiler mechanism and such forces are not capable of imparting injury to the coiler mechanism or to its mounting structure. When practicing the present invention the coil removal operations may be carried out with greater speed thus increasing the capacity of the coiler mechanism and related equipment. The present invention also provides an automatic arrangement for controlling the elevator mechanism responsively to a slight upward pivotal movement of the coiler mechanism. This arrangement eliminates the application of unnecessary strains upon the elevator mechanism and its actuating power cylinder and provides a means capable of automatically positioning the platform of the elevator mechanism relative to the coil of strip material to be removed without requiring time-consuming observations and manipulations on the part of the operator. In uncoiler mechanisms embodying the principles of the present invention the coil carrying elevator may be utilized to repeatedly bump the coil and thus determine the tightness of the support between the mandrel and the coil without imparting damaging forces to the uncoiler mechanism.

Although only one embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed and described herein it is to be expressly understood that various changes and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as well understood by those skilled in the art. Reference therefore will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a supporting structure, a rotatable mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for mounting the rotatable mandrel on the supporting structure, a base located below the supporting structure for the supporting structure, means forming a pivotal connection between the supporting structure and the base for mounting the supporting structure for swinging movement relative to the base about an axis displaced from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and means connected to the base and to the supporting structure for restraining lateral movement of the supporting structure relative to the base in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel while allowing swinging movement of the supporting structure relative to the base about the displaced aXl'S. I '2. In amechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to-carry a coil of strip materiaL-means-for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting struc: ture at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and means connected to the base and the supporting structure for restraining relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

3. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure and located adjacent the one end of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the base and the supporting structure laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

4. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the one end and at the other end of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the base and the supporting structure laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

5. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the one end of the sup porting structure on bothsides of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

6. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relativer to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base. and the supporting structure at the one' end and at the other end of the v v 13 supporting structure on both sides of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and-the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. I

7. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at One end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the one end of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the other end of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

8. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure at one end of the supporting structure, a base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the one end of the supporting structure on both sides of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and restraining means connected to the base and the supporting structure at the other end of the supporting structure on both sides of the supporting structure for preventing relative movement between the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

9. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material,

a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a man-' drel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure with the mandrel extending outwardly beyond one end of the supporting structure, a horizontal base for the supporting structure, and means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to the base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the horizontal base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, the last-named means including axle means for supporting the supporting structure and support means for the axle means carried by the horizontal base.

10. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material as defined in claim 9 including means for preventing relative movementbetween the supporting structure and the base laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

' r 14 v tive to the bearing plate rigidly supported on the horizontal base. a 12. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material as defined in claim 11 including means for adjusting the relative lateral relationship of the bearing plates. 13. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel adapted to carry a coil of strip material, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure with the mandrel extending outwardly beyond' one end of the supporting structure, a horizontal base for the supporting structure, axle means rotatably connected to the supporting structure on both of its sides at the other end of the supporting structure, axle means supporting means carried by the horizontal base on both sides of the supporting structure for supporting the axle means, vertically disposed bearing plates on both sides of the supporting structure at the one end of the supporting structure, and a cooperating vertically disposed bearing plate for each of the vertically disposed bearing plates on the supporting structure, each cooperating vertically disposed bearing plate including supporting means rigidly secured to the horizontal base to position each cooperating vertically disposed bearing plate in sliding contact with a respective vertically disposed bearing plate on the supporting structure.

14. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material as defined in claim 13 including means for adjusting the lateral position of each cooperating bearing plate relative to the respective bearing plate on the supporting structure.

15. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material as defined in claim 14 including vertically disposed bearing plates on both sides of the supporting structure at the other end of the supporting structure and a cooperating vertically disposed bearing plate for each of the vertically disposed bearing plates at the other end of the supporting structure, the last-named cooperating vertically disposed bearing plates being secured to the horizontal base.

16. In a coiler for strip material, a substantially rectangular supporting structure, a mandrel upon which strip material is adapted to be wound in the form of a coil, means for rotatably mounting the mandrel on the supporting structure with the mandrel extending outwardly beyond one end of the supporting structure, a horizontal base for the supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting the other end of the supporting structure to 11. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip mate- 7 rial as defined in claim 10 in which the restraining means includes a vertically disposed bearing plate carried by the supporting structure and a cooperating vertically disposed ,bearing plate rigidly supported on the horizontal base, the cooperating bearing plates being in contact with each other and the bearing plate carried by the supporting structure being adapted for sliding movement relathe base for mounting the supporting structure for upward swinging movement relative to the horizontal base about a horizontal axis adjacent the other end of the supporting structure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, a coil carrying elevator including a coil receiving platform, supporting means for the elevator adapted to locate the elevator beneath the mandrel, elevator actuating means operable to move the coil receiving platform upwardly in a direction toward the mandrel to receive a coil supported by the mandrel, and means operative responsively to upward movement of the one end of the supporting structure for controlling the elevator actuating means.

17. In combination, a coiler for strip material including a rotatable mandrel adapted to receive strip material in the form of a coil, an elevator including a coil receiving platform mounted for vertical movement below the mandrel and means for moving the platform upwardly in a direction toward the mandrel, means for pivotally mounting the coiler on a supporting base for upward swinging movement when the platform is moved upwardly 18. In a mechanism for handling a coil of strip material, a mandrel adapted for use in strip material coil operations during which operations force is applied to the man- 15 16 drel perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a structure for axis of the mandrel, the last-named means being displaced supporting the mandrel, a base located below the strucfrom the axis of the pivot means. ture for supporting the structure, pivot means forming a pivotal connection between the structure and the base to References Cited in the file of thls P mount the structure for swinging movement relative to 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS the base about an axis displaced from the longitudinal f th d 1 d t d t th b 2,391,321 Littell Dec.'18, 1 94s,- axis 0 e man re, an means connec e 0 e ase 2,679,363 Muddiman nu-May 25, 1954 and contactmg the structure to restrain movement of the structure relative to the base upon application of a FOREIGN PATENTS force to the mandrel perpendicular to the longitudinal 10 471,478 Great Britain Feb. 26, 1937;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,911,164 November 3, 1959 Thomas P. Caine It is herebj certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 2', for "occurence" read occurrence line 49, strike out "the"; column 3, line 68, for "enviroment" read environment column 10, line 8, for "Fig. 3'" read Fig. 2

Signed and sealed this 14th day of June 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C, WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Females 

